What is a Takeoff in Construction: Complete Guide

An estimation is forecasting the resources required to complete a project, and an accurate estimate ensures you don’t overcharge or undercharge when you submit a bid for a construction project.

For most professional contractors or estimators, understanding what a takeoff is in construction is imperative. Material estimation is responsible for forming the foundation of a project bid. A material takeoff, in particular, is a comprehensive list detailing the materials required for a project along with their associated quantities.

Understanding Construction Takeoffs

Without getting started with anything too technical, let’s clear off the basics. 

Definition and basic concepts

While some call it a construction takeoff, others also refer to it as a material takeoff or quantity takeoff.

A takeoff in construction is a process where all the materials related to the completion of a construction project are listed alongside the estimated quantity and costs. Material takeoff is a critical step in the project estimating process and is practiced by contractors within and outside the construction industry.

Key components of a takeoff

A construction takeoff involves significant components, starting from assessing materials, labor, and equipment needs, providing an accurate foundation for budgeting and project planning. Some of the important aspects are elaborated further.

Material quantities

Takeoffs calculate the exact amount of materials like concrete, steel, wood, and drywall needed for the project. This ensures accurate ordering and minimizes waste, reducing project costs.

Labor requirements

Understanding the workforce needed, including skill levels and hours, is vital for proper scheduling and budgeting. Takeoffs detail these requirements to ensure the project runs smoothly.

Equipment needs

From heavy machinery like excavators to smaller tools, a comprehensive takeoff identifies all equipment required, helping contractors plan rentals or purchases effectively.

Each component plays a critical role in delivering an accurate and actionable takeoff, making it a cornerstone of any construction project in the US market.

The Difference Between Estimation and Takeoff

A takeoff and an estimation are two different processes, although they seem similar. They both involve determining and calculating resources needed in construction, but that’s where it ends. Here is a table that elaborates on the differences between these two processes:

Aspect	Estimation	Takeoff
Focus	Focuses on both cost analysis and resource allocation.	Focuses solely on quantifying materials needed for construction tasks.
Tools Used	Software like InvoiceOwl and QuickBooks for cost calculations and invoice generation.	Tools like PlanSwift, Bluebeam, or On-Screen Takeoff for material measurement.
Users	Estimators, contractors, or project managers with financial expertise.	Quantity surveyors or construction professionals skilled in reading blueprints.
Inputs Required	Takeoff data, labor rates, material costs, project scope, and overhead expenses.	Construction blueprints, drawings, or project plans.
Importance	Helps to manage payments, streamline budget, and ensure project profitability through professional estimates.	Ensures accuracy in procurement and cost control by eliminating guesswork.

Various Uses of the Takeoff in Construction

Now you know what a construction takeoff is, what it includes, and why it’s important to make one for every project, let’s see where and how they can be used in the industry.

• Submitting a bid

  A flawed bid is a deal-breaker for any client hiring a contractor. Any bid you submit must be detailed enough to impress your client but also simple and easy to understand.

  An accurate takeoff is the bedrock of a good bid, and a construction takeoff is simply a process that helps contractors predict the approximate material costs. Before submitting your bid, ensure you know how much of each item is required to accurately predict the cost to avoid underbidding and losing profits or overbidding and missing out on the project.

• Drafting an estimate

  Once you’ve performed your construction takeoff and now have a list of the materials required for your project and the associated cost, the next step is to create an accurate estimate for the entire cost of the project by compiling the material cost and adding additional expenses.

• For purchase decisions

  Whenever construction projects require purchasing orders for raw materials, construction professionals use the takeoff process to understand how and make practical purchase decisions.

Importance of Accuracy of Construction Takeoff

For the success of any building project, it is crucial to lay the groundwork for precise cost estimation and resource allocation. This can only be achieved with the help of an accurate construction takeoff. Let’s discuss this in detail to identify the importance of construction takeoff for clients and contractors.

• An accurate takeoff helps to quantify the overall cost estimate of materials, labor, and all the equipment required.
• With the help construction takeoff, contractors can stop worrying about the costs not included in their bids. The takeoff takes care of this problem by ensuring all the items are accounted for.
• To tackle the competitive market, contractors who consistently deliver accurate takeoffs can submit more competitive bids without underestimating costs.
• With clear insights into materials and timelines, takeoff allows the managers to streamline projects and submit more bids.
• Takeoff keeps transparency in the project between clients and contractors.

What Is Included in a Construction Takeoff?

A construction takeoff includes all the required materials to complete a project and if you’re quite new to estimating, knowing what to include in your takeoff report gets confusing sometimes. Below are the materials that will most certainly be part of your construction takeoff report:

• Steel
• Concrete
• Sand
• Rebar
• Wood
• Tiles and other flooring materials
• Pipes
• Electric cables
• Light fixtures
• Secondary industrial supplies to help work process on the site

Pro tip: Start your project requirement list with physical materials that form a core part of the project first.

What Is Excluded From a Construction Takeoff?

A construction takeoff should exclude the project expenses below:

• Labor costs
• Transportation costs
• Rentals and equipment charges
• Recruitment costs
• Office overheads

The Construction Takeoff Process

Takeoff is an important part of estimating costs by enlisting the number of materials required for a project. It enables accurate budgeting, cost savings, and efficient resource allocation if done right. 

Let’s quickly see how you can get started with the construction takeoff process.

Step-by-step guide

Initial assessment

All the necessary details must be observed. Therefore, review the project blueprints, specifications, and scope of work to understand the complete requirements. In addition, identify key materials, labor needs, and equipment demands before diving into detailed measurements.

Measurement and calculations

It is always better to use tools like digital takeoff software, or you can opt for manual methods to measure quantities directly from plans. Thus, calculate the materials, labor hours, and equipment usage that are required to complete the project with perfection.

Documentation

Organize all calculations and data into a clear, structured format. Thus, for that, include item descriptions, quantities, costs, and any important assumptions to ensure transparency for clients or stakeholders.

Best practices and tips

• Utilize technology: Use digital takeoff tools like PlanSwift or Bluebeam to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Double-check measurements: Always verify calculations to prevent costly mistakes.
• Collaborate with experts: Involve subcontractors or specialists to refine estimates for complex components.
• Maintain consistency: Use standardized units and formats to ensure clarity and avoid confusion.

Types of Construction Takeoffs

There are mainly two types of construction takeoffs:

• Manual takeoffs
• Digital takeoffs

Manual vs. Digital methods

Manual takeoff

For manual takeoffs, the contractor or estimator studies the project’s blueprints and figures out the material they need based on the project scope. They also make rough guesses on the quantity based on the blueprint measurements. This kind of material takeoff is usually created by a highly experienced contractor. However, they tend to be quite tedious and time-consuming.

Also, manual takeoffs may not be entirely accurate, even with a skilled and experienced estimator. It requires complex mathematical equations and statistical calculations, which can make the estimation process quite tedious.

Digital takeoffs

Nowadays, there are many contractor estimate software available in the market. These apps can help you prepare takeoff documents within a few simple steps and have other tools to make the estimating process easier.

In some cases, you can input your project scope to a digital takeoff software or building information modeling software for a recommended list of materials. Not only are digital takeoffs easy and quick, but they are also usually more accurate than the manual method.

Specialized takeoff applications

Specialized takeoff applications are designed to provide advanced tools that can ease the construction process with estimating and planning. Mostly, this takeoff based on project type, with distinct approaches for residential and commercial construction.

Residential projects

Takeoffs for residential projects focus majorly on materials and labor required to build for homes, apartments, or any small developments. These projects require precise measurements, and also considered labor-intensive job. It requires finishes like flooring, cabinetry, and roofing, as well as careful planning for project design like, framing and electrical work.

Commercial construction

Commercial takeoffs are developed to address large-scale projects like offices, retail spaces, or warehouses. Often, these takeoffs involve more critical requirements, such as HVAC systems, elevators, and structural reinforcements. Therefore, the role of this takeoff is important while competitive bids.

Conclusion

Whether it is a small project or large, construction takeoff is an integral part of the construction cost estimation process. A detailed outline of the project material requirements, as well as their costs, is the first step to creating a winning bid. And every contractor should know how to create a construction takeoff. However, it’s difficult to ensure accuracy with manual takeoffs, no matter the level of experience. Therefore, you should use estimating software to create accurate estimates in a relatively shorter time.

InvoiceOwl helps in creating accurate construction takeoffs and can analyze records from previous estimates for future projects. With InvoiceOwl, contractors can handle more projects simultaneously, eradicate estimating errors and create estimates and invoices at lightning speed.